Acts of humanity sparked by wildfires

SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) - One year after the devastating wildfire outbreak last Labor Day weekend, people in West Travis County are still trying to recover.

More then 6,000 acres burned and 46 structures perished in what was called the Pedernales Fire.

Kelly Cazalas and his wife, Debbie, have lived in Spicewood for the past 14 years. But last year, 40-mph winds swept flames right into their home.

"They were knocking on the door telling us to get out of here," said Kelly Cazalas. "There were ashes falling down already."

The fire department only gave the couple 15 minutes to gather what they could and get out. Days later, they were able to get back into the area.

"All that was left of it was bent steel all out of shape from the heat, " Cazalas said.

The last 12 months have been difficult and emotionally draining for the Cazalas family.

But with the help of insurance, family, friends and volunteers, the debris has been cleared, the brush cleaned out and a new home is in the making.

"It's a year later and people still come by to offer to help," said Cazalas, who's a contractor and made sure he took extra measures to protect his new home from any future fires with a metal roof and stone walls on the outside.

On the inside the frame of the house is still exposed, showing the messages of hope written by volunteers.

At the height of the emergency last year, the community came together to help neighbors who had lost everything or almost everything. But that spirit of giving did not fade as the months went by.

People from all over came to help the family rebuild. The messages left behind on the wood beams reminds Kelly and Debbie that people really do care.

The family hopes to be moved into their new home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"I've had my doubts but I've changed my thinking," Cazalas said. "There's a lot of good people."